Stopcock



April 21, 1936. H H. ROBlNSQN E1- AL 2,038,132

sToPcoCK Filed March 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 30 e f// l April 21,1936. H. H. ROBINSON E'r AL STOPCOCK Filed March 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Patented Apr. 2l, 1936 aATENr oiFFlcE s'rorcocx Henry H. Robinson andTheodore C. lilath, Los

gcles, Calif., assignors to Robinson Orificel Fitting Company, LosAngeles, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Application March 26, 1934,Serial No. '317,404

ll. maint.

This invention relates to valves, and relates more particularly to'theclass of valves commonly known as plug valves or stop cocks. A generalobject of this invention is' to provide a simple, practical andparticularly effective stop cock.

.Another object of the invention is to provide a plug valve or stop cockthat is adapted to provide or form positive fluid tight and leak tightseals at both its upstream and downstream ports.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stop cock that may beeasily and quickly tested when in the closed position to determine ifthere is any ow or leakage from either end of the line.

a plug valve or stop cock in which the packing glands may be repackedwhen the cock is closed, without the loss or leakage of fluid.

lt is another object of the invention to provide a plug valve that isvery easy to operate. In

the valve or stop cock of the present invention the sealing members orsegments of the plug are forced or operated radially outwardly againstthe interior of the body to seal therewith after the plug has been movedto its closed position, and

are released and fully freed from the wall of the body at the initialopening movement of the plug,

so'that they do not resist operation or turning of the plug. The plugproper has substantial clearance with the interior of the body and thereis very little friction resisting rotation of the plug.V

It is another object of the invention to provide a stop cock of thecharacter mentioned in which the actuating pressures or forces on thesealing members are automatically balanced or equalized.

It is another object of the invention to provide a stop cock of thecharacter mentioned in which the sealing members are inexpensive and maybe easily and quickly replaced.

It is a, further object of the invention to pro-v lt is another objectof the invention to provide opposite ends of the passage II.

tact with the interior of the body. Fig. 2 is a transverse detailedsectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 2--2 on Fig. 1and Fig. 3 is a transverse, detailed sectional view taken as indicatedby line 3-3 on Fig. l.

The plug valve or stop cock of this invention includes, generally, abody I I0 having a fluid passage Il, a plug I2 in the body I0 turnablebetween the open and closed positions and expansible to seal with theinterior of the body when in the closed position, means I3 for turningthe plug, and means E4 for expanding the plug I2.

The body I0 is adapted to be connected in a pipe line, being providedwith the uld passage il to handle the fluid of the line and beingprovided With suitable means for connection with parts of the line. Inthe particular case illustrated in the drawings the means forfacilitating connection of the body III in the pipe line comprisesflanges l5 projecting from the body at the In accordance withvtheinvention the body I0 has an opening I6 intersecting the uid passage II.The opening i6 is provided to carry the plug I2 and it is a feature ofthe invention that the opening I6 may have cylindrical walls and may beof substantially uniform diameter throughout its length. A body Wall I1closes the lower end of the opening I6 while a cap or bonnet I8 lsprovided to close the upper end of the opening. rlhe body I0 is providedwith a head flange I9 and bolts or screws 2@ extend through openingsinthe .bonnet I8 and iiange I9 to attach the bonnet to the body. Theexterior of the body may be provided with joined or intersectingreinforcing flanges 2|.

The core or plug i2 is arranged in the body opening i6 and is bothturnable and expansible. The plug I2 is cylindrical in its generalconfiguration and its cylindrically curved exterior 22 has substantialclearance with the Wall of the body opening I6. The inner end 23 of theplug i2 is flat and seats on an annular shoulder 24 in the body. Atransverse opening 25 is provided in the plug I2. The plug I2 isrotatable between' a position where its opening 25 is in directlongitudinal register with the fluid passage I I and a position wherethe longitudinal axis of the opening 25 is at substantially right anglesto that of the uid passage. In accordance with the invention the plug I2is longitudinally split or divided into two sections or members X so asto be expansible. The plane of division or separation of the plug I2includes the longitudinal axis of the opening 25. When the plug I2 ispositioned y with its opening 25 transverse of the iluid passage readilyreplaceable. In the case illustrated countersunk screws 28 attach theinserts 21 to the plug members X in manners so that the inserts may beeasily detached from the plug. The seats or inserts 21 have at innersides bearing against the ilat inner walls of the recesses 26 and haveat longitudinal edges seating against the longitudinal walls of therecesses. The material of which the seats or inserts 21 is formeddepends upon the character or class of iluid which is to be handled bythe valve. It may be practical to form the inserts 21 of bakelite,copper, bronze,

.stainless steel or the like. 'Ihe seats or inserts 21 are provided toengage or seal against the wall of the opening I6 at the fluid passageII to close of! both the upstream and the downstream portions of thepassage.

The inserts 21 project beyond the exterior or periphery of the plugmembers X and their outer sides are cylindrically curved and have thesame radius of curvature as the wall oi the opening I8. The sealinginserts 21 are finished to evenly and tightly seal with the wall o1' thebody opening' I6. In the preferred construction the inserts 21 areproportioned to entirely cover the ends oi' the iluid passage I I andengage the wall of the opening I6 for some distance around the ends oi'the passage. The opposite end portions 28* of the inserts 21 may berelieved or reduced in diameter to have clearance with the wall of theopening I8 so that the sealing pressure exerted by the plug expandingmeans I4 is concentrated on limited areas ofI the wall of the openingI6. The plug I2 is provided with a central longitudinal opening 29 whichextendsthrough'it from one end to the other. A

The means I3 for turning the plug I2 is intended to be operated torotate the plug between the open and closed positions when the plug iscontracted or -free to contract with the means I4 unactuated. 'I'he plugoperating or turning means I3 includes a plate 38- arranged in the bodyopening I6 between the bonnet I8 and the upper end of the plug. Theplate 38 is rotatable and an antifriction bearing 3| is provided betweenthe plate and the underside oi' the bonnet I8. A socket or recess 32 isprovided in the inner side of the plate 30 and has straight tangentialside walls providing the plate with parallel opposing shoulders 33. Ribsor keys 34 are provided on the upper .ends .of the plug members X toextend into the recess 32. The outer sides of the keys 34 are iiat andtangential and are adapted to be engaged by the shoulders 33. In thepreferred form of the invention the shoulders 33 and the sides of thekeys 34 have substantial clearance, when the plug I2 is expanded, forthe purpose to be hereinafter described.

A tubular boss or stem 35 is provided on the plate 38 and projectsoutwardly through a central opening in the bonnet I8. The projectingportion of the stem 35 is polygonal for engagement by a -wrench or othersuitable turning tool. Packing 36 is carried in the bonnet I8 and ismaintained under compression by a follower or gland 31. Nuts 38 arethreaded on studs projecting from the bonnet I8 to actuate the gland 21inwardly. The packing 36 effectively seals about the stem 35. Means isprovided for limiting rotation of the plate 38 and plug I2. A pin orstop 38 projects upwardly from the plate 30 and eximportant feature ofthe invention and is operatable to move or actuate the two plug membersX outwardly to bring the inserts 21 into sealing contact with the wallof the opening I6 around the fluid passage II. The means I4 foractuating the plug members X outwardly includes a mandrel or stem 4Iextending longitudinallyfthrough the plug opening 23 and an opening 42in the stem 35. The mandrel or stem 4I is rotatable and longitudinally'-shiftable. The end Y portion lof the stem.4l which extends beyond thestem 35 is polygonal for engagement by a wrench or the like.

.Packing 43 is arranged in the opening 42 to `seal about the stem 4I anda threaded follower or gland 44 is provided to retain the packing insealing contact with the stem. The inner or lower end of the lstem 4Imay project beyond the plug I2 and may normally have considerableclearance with the wa'll I1 of the body whereby the stem 4I may beshifted longitudinally. An annular ange 45 is provided on the stem 4Iand is rotatable and longitudinally shiftable in a socket 46 in theinner side of the plate 30.

'I'he plug expanding means I4 includes a nut 41 threaded on the innerend portion of the stem 4I and a block or nut 48 on the stem 4I in theupper -portion of the plug. 'I'he nut 48 is free to turn with respect tothe stem 4I. The cooperation of the thread 48 of the stem with the nut41 is adapted to move the stem longitudinally or the nut 41longitudinally depending upon vthe relationship between the resistanceto these two movements. A boss or stop`62 may be provided on the bodywall I1 to limit downward movement of the nut 41. 'I'he nut 48 ismovable longitudinally with the stem 4I. The lower end of the nut 48rests against a nut 58 stationarily threaded on the stem 4I and theupper end of the nut 48 engages an lanti-friction bearing I. The bearing5I is arranged between the nut 48 and the flange 45 oi.' the stem. Themeans I4 is in the nature of a toggle means and includes toggle blocksor toggles 52 arranged between the nuts 41 and 48 and the inner sides ofthe plug members I2. The toggles 52 are elongate members having roundedinner and outer sides or ends. Rounded or concaved recesses 53 areprovided in the wall of the opening 29 or the inner sides of the plugmembers X to receive the rounded outer ends of the toggles 52. The innerends of the toggles 52 are received in elongate recesses 54 in the'nuts41 and 48. 'I'he recesses are provided in diametrically opposite sidesof the nuts and the engagement of the toggles in the recesses preventsturning oir the nuts with respect to the plug I 2.

The nuts 41 and 48 are positioned so that the toggles 52 are pitched orinclined. The toggles 52 are inclined outwardly from the nuts and towardor in the general direction of the :duid pasassegna sage Il. Means maybe provided for limiting the upward movement of the nut 41 on the stem4| thus limiting tilting of the toggles 52 toward the normal orhorizontal positions and preventing excessive outward movement of theplug members X. A sleeve 56 surrounds the stemv4| between the stationarynuts 5I) and the nut 41 and its lower end is adapted to be engaged bythe nut 41 to limit movement of the nut upwardly on the stem. A

To expand the plug I2 or actuate the plug members X outwardly the stem4| is turned in a right hand direction so that the vcooperation of thethread 49 with the thread of the nut 41 moves the nut inwardly on thestem or causes movementof the stem in the opposite direction, or both.These movements of the nut 41 and the stem 4| cause pivoting of thetoggles 52 toward the horizontal positions which forces the members Xoutwardly so that the inserts 21 come into sealing contact with the wallof the body opening I6. In practice the-resistance to outward swingingor tilting of the toggles 52 of the nut 41 and the consequent resistanceto movement of the nut 41 along the stem is followed by or accompaniedwith longitudinal movement of the stem 4| in a direction to cause activepivoting or tilting of the toggles 52 at the nut 48. In a like mannerwhen longitudinal movement of the stem in this direction is resistedthrough the action of the toggles 52 at the nut 48 the nut 41 is causedto move longitudinally of the stem 4| providing, of course, that thestem 4I is-being rotated. The expansive movement or outwardmovement ofthe opposite ends of the plug members X are thus equalized or balanced.and the members X act outwardly with even or equal pressures, insuringtight effective seals with the wall of the body opening i6. To relievethe plug members X of the outward force and to permit contraction of theplug l 2 the stem 4| is turned in a left hand direction to causemovement of the nut 41 outwardly or downwardly on the stem 4I andmovement of the stem 4I upwardly thus releasing the upper and lower setsof toggle blocks 52.

The invention includes means for testing the valve or stop cock todetermine if there is any leakage from either end of the pipe line. Atesting valve or bleeder valve 58 communicates with a port 59 in thewall of the body I0. The port 59 has communication with the body openingI6 at the plate 30. After the plug |2 has been moved to its closedposition and has been expanded'so that the inserts 21 are tightly fittedagainst the wall of the opening I6, the bleeder valve 58 may be openedto relieve pressure from the opening i6. If discharge from the bleedervalve 58 continues it indicates that there is leakage past one or bothof the inserts 21. One or more ports 59a may be provided in the bonnetI8 to communicate with the upper portion of the opening I6 to receivethe test or bleeder valve 58 whereby the stop cock may be set at variouspositions and yet have the valve 58 communicate with the uppermost partof the opening I6. The unused openings 58n may be normally closed byplugs 90. A drain valve 59b is threaded into a plug 60 in the lower wall|1 of the body. Ports 6| in the plug 60 and stop 62 put the valve 59loin communication with the lower end of the opening I6.

To close the plug valve or stop cock of the invention the stem 35 isengaged by a turning tool or wrench and is turned in a right handdirection until the stop 39 engages an end of the opening 40 to positionthe plug I2 Where its inserts 21 directly oppose the opposite ends ofthe fluid passage ll. The stem 4| is then turned in a right handdirection -to expand the plug |2. As described above, rotation of thestem 4| in a right hand direction results in inward or upward movementof the nut 41 on the stem 4| and downward movement of the stem 4| andnut 48. These movements tilt or pivot the toggles 52 toward thehorizontal positions so that the toggles actuate the plug members Xoutwardly. As above described, the plug expanding movements of the nut41 and the stem 4| and nut 48 are automatically balanced or equalized toprovide for the proper equal outward operation of the opposite ends ofthe plug members X. The stem 4| may be turned suilciently to bring theinserts 21 of the plug into tight effective sealing cooperation with thewall of the body opening 18.

When it is believed that the valve has been fully and properly closedthe bleeder valve 58 may be opened. Opening of the bleeder valve 58immediately relieves pressure inthe interior of the body I and if thereis little or no discharge from the bleeder valve it indicates that theiiuid passage II has been tightly closed 01T. It is to be noted that theinserts 21 of the two plug members X effectively seal both the upstreamand downstream ends of Athe passage II. As the periphery 22 of the plugl2 has clearance with the wall of the opening I 6 there is littleresistance to turning of the plug to the closed position. The inserts 21are not subjected to any frictional engagement with the interior of thebody during closing of the valve and are actuated against the wall ofthe opening I6 after the plug |2 has been moved to its closed position.

'I'o open the valve or stop cock the stem 4| is turned in a left handdirection to cause downward movement of the nut 41 and upward movementof the stem and the nut 48. These movements of the nuts 41 and 48relieve the outward or expansive pressures on the plug members X so thatthe members are free to contract. The stem 35 is then turned to move theplug |2 to its open position where the opening 25 isin register with theuid passage l I. With the initial turning movement of the stem 35 theadvancing parts of the shoulders 33 engage the keys 34 to transmit theturning movement to the plug |2. As described above there is substantialclearance between the shoulders 33 and the keys 34 and turning of thestem 35 to move the plug to its open position causes the shoulders 33 tostrike against the keys 34 in a manner to lift or pick the inserts 21free from the walls of the opening I6 in the event that the inserts havea tendency to stick or remain in contact with the wall of the opening.As the toggle means has been previcusly released the plug members X arefree to contract permitting the inserts 21 to free themselves from thewall of the opening I6. Because of the above mode of operation the valveis particularly easy to operate. When the valve or stop cock is closedwith the inserts 21 in tight sealing engagement with the wall of theopening I6 the bleeder valve 28 may be opened torelieve the interior ofthe body of pressure and the packing 36 and 43 may be replaced withoutany danger or possibility of leakage. The valve or stop cock of thepresent invention is simple and dependable in operation and is capableof electively handling fluids of high pressures.

Having described only a typical form and application of our invention Wedo not wish to be 10 where it allows the ow of fluid through the passageand a closed position, the plug being 1on- `gitudlnally split into twomembers, means for operating the members outwardly to seal the openingfrom both ends of the passage, a drain valve communicating with thelower portion oi.' the opening and a bleeder valve having communicationwith the upper. portion of the opening for the testing of the sealing ofthe members.

HENRY H. ROBINSON. THEODORE C. PLATH.

